ALPINE ADVENTURE NEW ZEALAND 2015/2016 TRIP NOTES

1

Alpine Adventure - New Zealand Southern Alps

2015-16 Trip Notes

All material Copyright © Adventure Consultants Ltd 2015-16

Experience the mountains for the first time on this incredible journey into the alpine wonderland with an ascent of the technically easy, Mt French, (2356m/7,300ft). This exciting trip features a helicopter ride into the Aspiring National Park, walking up a wide open and low angled glacier, camping in tents and climbing an easy snow ridge, with just a little bit of exposure, to your first mountain summit! You are introduced to primary mountaineering techniques right under the mighty Mt Aspiring on the beautiful Bonar Glacier. After the summit of Mt French is reached, you will descend to the modern French Ridge Hut for the night. The final day sees you climbing down into the Matukituki Valley to walk out through the ancient beech forests, clear running streams and warmer air. Overall this is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste for the high hills and the Southern Alps without an extended time commitment.

The trip is ideal for those of average fitness who would like to experience a unique mountain adventure. Whether you are a group of work colleagues, or a bunch of friends, this trip is an ideal introduction to New Zealand’s high mountain environment. From the exciting helicopter flight, to the gourmet food, world class views and the thrill of the summit, this trip packs a lot into just four days. We guide our Alpine Adventure on a maximum of a 1:4 guide to client ratio.

Alpine Adventure itinerary Day 1: Meet your guide in Wanaka, check gear, drive to Raspberry Flat (53km, 1 hour) and fly into the mountains to our Bevan Col camp in the afternoon. Introduce ice axe and crampons.

2

Day 2: Walk on the Bonar Glacier, introduce mountain craft skills. Day 3: Summit day, start early (4-5am) and climb up the Bonar Glacier. Leave our packs at the Quarterdeck Pass and then traverse a snow ridge to the summit of Mt French. Descend to French Ridge Hut for the night.

Day 4: Descend the French Ridge to the West Matukituki Valley and walk out through the forests and valley to the car park at Raspberry Flat (6-7 hrs) and head back to Wanaka.

Our guides Adventure Consultants guides are NZMGA and / or IFMGA qualified mountain guides. They are professional mountaineers and operate to the highest industry standards. Being a great climber alone is not enough to work with us, our standards demand that trip leaders are great guides as well. You will find your guide friendly, approachable and focused on providing a safe and enjoyable trip in line with your objectives and comfort level. Our guides are in communication with our operations base and Department of Conservation headquarters at most times throughout the trip. This assists us with schedule and weather forecast updates, helicopter coordination and safety back up. Urgent messages can be relayed from our office in Wanaka to the mountains if required.

Climbing season We can run the Alpine Adventure all year, although the ideal season is during our summer guiding season, November to April. During November in early summer, we can expect more snow in the mountains and as temperatures warm up into the summer months of January and February, we traditionally experience more settled weather and ideal climbing conditions. From March through April, late summer conditions exist which result in cooler temperatures and often the most stable weather patterns; at this time of year though the days begin to get noticeably shorter.

Weather New Zealand has a maritime climate and the weather is always a consideration in the high mountains. In the event conditions were not suitable to enter the mountains at the start of the trip, we can either make use of the time to learn mountaineering skills and/or go rock climbing in the nearby crags of Wanaka, or reverse the order of the trip, and walk in and climb Mt French, then fly out.

Fitness and health To make the most of your climbing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness prior to the trip. You will find that training with a 15kg + pack on is the best preparation for the mountains, with

3

the aim of getting ‘pack fit’ and building your endurance. Your guide places special focus on fitness levels and will regulate the pace accordingly. Our registration form requests that you advise us of any medical problems you may have and if you are on any medication. Any information you supply will be treated as confidential.

Equipment Climbing in the Southern Alps requires good personal gear due to the potential weather conditions. Our focus is on having the essential clothing and equipment, whilst keeping pack weights as light as possible for your comfort and ease of travel. The accompanying equipment list is a guideline to your equipment requirements. We carry a good range of modern rental equipment. If you will be renting equipment from us please advise your requirements in advance to ensure correct sizing and availability. If you intend on buying any equipment items, we are happy to advise on recommended brands and models, and of key importance - their suitability to the type of activity. We offer our clients discounted prices on a selection of climbing equipment and clothing, and can arrange for the equipment to be available upon your arrival. Your Guide will go through an equipment checklist with you prior to the trip. These will vary subject to seasonal weather and route conditions. All group equipment including ropes and stoves will be organised by your Guide.

Food We place emphasis on providing nutritious meals and a good supply of snack food throughout the trip. If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us at the time of registration.

Insurance We strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself in case of injury or mishap prior to/or whilst on our trips. Whilst our focus is on safety and our track record supports this, the mountains do have hazards and there is always the potential for mishap. If you were injured whilst on the trip the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will pay rescue costs upon review of the circumstances and authorisation by the Police. This service may not apply to evacuation costs for medical conditions. You are not eligible for bulk compensation payments from ACC, and you are responsible for any medical or evacuation costs beyond the cover provided by ACC.

4

Travel to, and accommodation in Wanaka We commence the Alpine Adventure trip from our base in Wanaka. Air New Zealand and Qantas/Jetstar provide daily services for flights from Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington to Queenstown. There are also direct international flights from Australian cities to Queenstown. A shuttle service operates several times daily between Queenstown and Wanaka (approximately one hour driving time and at a cost of $35 each way), check http://www.alpineconnexions.co.nz for details. Bus services operate daily between Christchurch and Wanaka (approximately 6 hours travel time). Wanaka has a range of accommodation from backpackers, youth hostels, motels, and hotels to luxury lodges. We are happy to assist with your accommodation and bus transfer arrangements. Please note: Adventure Consultants will provide food and accommodation while the course is running which is from 9.00am on Day 1 until 5.00pm on Day 4. All food and accommodation outside this time will be at your expense.

Accommodation during the trip Adventure Consultants will provide your accommodation while the trip is running which is from 9.00am on Day 1 until 5.00pm on Day 4. When in the mountains you will stay in mountain huts with shared bunkrooms and basic facilities. There are no single rooms available. Some mountain nights may be spent in tents or bivvies where you will be more exposed to the elements, but the final decision on this will be made by your guide after weighing up all the factors. If you experience a delay with entering the mountains caused by weather you will be accommodated in Wanaka in dormitory style backpackers with shared bathroom facilities. You may decide to upgrade to single accommodations in Wanaka at your own expense, should you require.

Price The price for our 4 day Alpine Adventure is: NZ$3,600 for 1:1 guiding.

NZ$2,150 each for 2 people each at 1:2 ratio NZ$1,650 each for 3 people each at 1:3 ratio NZ$1,390 each for 4 people each at 1:4 ratio

The price includes; Guide and permit fees, all trip related meals and energy foods, technical equipment (including crampons, ice axe, climbing boots, helmet, harness etc.), helicopter access flight and landing fees, ground transport ex Wanaka and 15% NZ Goods and Services Tax. This trip is run on demand once we have received a confirmed booking.

5

Trip registration and payment In order to confirm a guide for the Alpine Adventure, we require a completed registration form (use the booking form on our website or contact us and we’ll send one out) and a 25% deposit of the trip fee. The balance of payment is then due 60 days prior to the start date. Our online registration form is at: http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/BookingForm/

All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:

Bank: Bank of New Zealand For the account of: Adventure Consultants Limited Account number: 02 0673 0043443 00 Account Type: NZ Dollars We can also accept your deposit and balance payment by credit card – Visa, Mastercard, Amex Please note: In order to reserve a guide we recommend that you book well in advance. This especially applies to the high season period (January through March).

Trip cancellation policy

Cancellations outside of 60 days incur a NZ$250.00 cancellation fee.

For cancellations made within 60 days of the trip commencement date we reserve the right to retain 50% of the full fee.

For cancellations made within 30 days of the trip commencement date we reserve the right to retain 75% of the full fee.

For cancellations within 15 days of the departure date a cancellation fee of 100% of the full fee applies.

We recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent.

6

We look forward to welcoming you onto your Alpine Adventure! Contact us Adventure Consultants Ltd PO Box 739, 20 Brownston St Lake Wanaka 9343 New Zealand Email: info@adventure.co.nz Web: www.adventureconsultants.com Phone: + 64 3 443 8711 Fax: + 64 3 443 8733

Adventure Consultants – is affiliated to the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA), New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) and a corporate member of the American Alpine Club (AAC). Adventure Consultants perform to IFMGA/UIAGM standards and are world leaders in high altitude guiding.

All material Copyright © Adventure Consultants Ltd 2015-16